Christmas Card Swap

Did you know Christmas was only 12 weeks away?  wow...I swear the older I get...the faster time goes!!  

I joined a Christmas swap recently and had to make a Christmas card with layers size 5 x 5.  I do not normally use 5 x 5 cards but the cards that returned back was so adorable I will definitely have to use the cards!!!  I will post the cards I received tomorrow.  

The card I chose to do was mostly done with a punch, ink and cricut.  The Poinsettia is from Anna Griffin Winter Wonderland. 

It was easy to sit and put these together once I got all the pieces cut.   I tend to add a lot of glitter on cards lately...something my sister Faye got me hooked on.  Not a lot of glitter on this one.   I like the final results.  Layered but easy to mail still.

Next post I will share all the cards I received in return!

Netta

Blue Bird of Happiness

I got my inspiration from this card here http://www.splitcoaststampers.com/gallery/photo/2541018.  I loved how she placed scenery in the form of a strip down one side of the card with elements off to the side of it.  I enjoyed making the leaves by spraying them with a mix of water & glycerin in a spray bottle and crumbled them up to make wrinkles.  I opened them up a bit and let them dry.   After they dried I blotted them with some brown ink.  So the bird did not look like it was floating in the air, I added a branch behind it.  The bird was stamped 2 x's and I was able to cut parts from one bird to add an extra layer.  The neck feathers were created by using Tulip Puffy paint.  Finished off the bird with a party hat sequin from off the floor.  No seriously!  It was from the craft room floor!  Have no idea where it came from or how it ended up on the floor but it worked!!

Even though I have not posted photos of cards lately but I have been busy!  Hopefully I will get more posted soon!.

Thank you for stopping by!

Netta

Art Impressions rubber stamp Blue Bird of Happiness 

 Sizzix  Branch & Leaves 

Tulip White Puffy Paint

Sizzlets Thin Cuts Birthday Balloons #1

Lovely as a Tree Stamp Set From Stampin Up

Touch Markers

Fairy Happy Birthday

My Fairy Birthday card.  Lots of stamps and lots of fun!

I "cheated" on this card and did not use any masking.  After stamping all the stamps where I thought I wanted them to go, I just cut a white cardstock to go across the card and matted it with teal cardstock.  

I  combined the following stamps to create this card:

 Stampin Up Background Stamp "En Francais"

Stampin Up "Petal Parade" Set

Words from Fiskars "Birthday Cheer" (my FAV set)
Fairy "Sabrina" (cut out and glued on) from Susana's Custom Art & Card Design

Of course...no Fairy is perfect without the hint of Diamond Stickles sparkling in her hair and wings!!  

Fairy Happy Birthday!

Netta

Facebook Quote Inspiration

I came across a quote that was posted by many on Facebook and it was my inspiration to do this card. 

 Many liked the quote...I looked beyond the quote and took in the nighttime blues and the stars.  I thought..that would make a beautiful card!

I only used 2 stamps on it.  One was a Stampin Up tree stamp from the set called "Serene Silhouettes".  The other stamp "With Deepest Sympathy" came from Impression Obsession set called "Sympathy Sentiments".

To make the card, I brayered Stampin Up Pacific Point ink all over the entire white cardstock.  I stamped the tree 2 times on the card.  I used Black StazOn ink to stamp the tree facing up because I wanted a nice dark black color.  I used Versafine Onyx Black ink to stamp the tree facing down for the reflection.  The reason I used a different ink for the reflection is because I did not want that crisp black color.  I wanted to ink it and stamp off some of the color on a scrap piece of paper first and I could not do that with the StazOn ink.  

Next I tore a piece of towel paper with small bumps to mask off where I wanted the grassy knolls and inked up a sponge with StazOn.  After I was got the area I wanted sponged with black ink, I flipped over the ripped paper towel so I could ink the reflection of the grassy knolls in the water.

With another sponge, I sponged on Stampin Up Night of Navy ink to get the darker sky along the top and along the very bottom of the water.  

Finished the main part of the card with stamping the sentiment with Stampin Up Whisper White ink and using Gelly Roll Clear ink pen to make the twinkling stars.  Don't forgot to add the stars in the water as well for their reflection as well!

I made 2 more with same technique. One I forgot to take a picture before it was mailed off. =( 
 The sentiment on this card is from the same Impression Obsession set called "Sympathy Sentiments".

Hope this inspired you to try brayering and sponging on your creation!  Just be prepared to get some ink on your fingers!

Netta

Easter in...May???

Yup...I did it...Easter in May!  Little behind the 8-ball I think, lol.

I am using a bunch of challenges from all over to keep my card creating going and I have a notebook that I write in each time a new challenge is announced.  As I get one done I check it off the list.  One was to make an Easter card and obviously that was challenge for SBR-Us was posted prior to Easter. 

All I care about is I got the challenge checked off and a head start for next year!!  

The goal is to fill my box with finished cards!

I do not know what company this stamp came from or even if it is still available.  Prior to Easter, I went to a friends to stamp and I saw this stamp.  I thought it was so adorable so I stamped a couple for myself.  

thank you for stopping by!

Netta

Red and White Christmas

Still going strong on my Christmas cards!  I think I am pretty close to 40 made so far this year.  Cardstock is all from left overs.  I sat down and sorted all my scraps and placed them in 12 x 12 plastic containers.  Right now I have 2 colors in each but eventually will move them out into single.  I have them lined on a shelf and since I did that I find it is the first place I go to when I need paper or cardstock!  Great way to use it up because out of the choices in the containers, I will find something that will work with what I am doing.  The only speciality paper container I have is Christmas so while I am working on Christmas cards I will have the case open and ready to dig through.  

Netta

Birdcage of Flowers

My Aunt was visiting me a couple of months ago and she bought a Spellbinders Die of two bird cages.  Before she went home I sat visiting while cutting myself a few of these in different colors.  I used an ivy die cut and flower punch and created a spray doing down the side of the bird cage.  My husband already nabbed the card to thank someone for donating their time at the Mothers and Others event they held on Mothers Day.  I am not sure why my camera refused to work with but the card was a nice light cream color.  

thank you for stopping by!

Netta

Happy Mother's Day

I looked at many of the pages I have scrapbooked in the past with pictures of my mom.  I miss her so much.

My Mom passed away several years ago.  Lost a long battle to cancer.  Today I am walking down Memory Lane because I love to run into her.  I found this one page already scanned that I did of Mom and her best friend Lottie.  I used a rose background because roses was my mom's favorite flower!

Happy Mother's Day!

Netta

2014 Mother-n-Others Invite

This weekend will be the 12th big event at a local nursing home called Mothers-N-Others.  It is celebration held in the Alzheimer section for basically all the Caregivers and Families who take care of loved ones with Alzheimer.  For the past 9 years I have been making and donating the 30 invitations they needed.  It is difficult for me to sit and make 30 invitations (really more like an A2 card) the same way however  the nursing home does get great feed back on how the family members look forward to the invites.  One elderly gentleman has been saving them each year.  That is what makes it all worth while.  That is why we do what we do...make cards and give them away.  It is that smile that we get in return.

Thank you for stopping by..
Netta

(Inside)

“Your strength and patience reach forever

As we make this difficult journey together.

Please preserve the memories once shared

And protect my dignity when I lapse to care.

For each day I will need you a little more

To hold my hand and to reassure

As my thoughts fade and my memories dim

Know that my heart still loves you deep within.”

-Author Unknown

Falling Silver and Blue Snowflakes

A couple of years ago I bought some silver glitter paper from Stampin Up but there was a problem.  It was the best thin paper to use with die cuts and was so pretty!  You do not get many sheets so I was not using it.  Was "saving" it for a special project.  Saving paper is a horrible habit that I am trying to get out of. It was difficult but I finally used the paper up.   Recently was shopping in Joanne's, I came across a DCWV glitter cardstock stack that had 12 different colors and seemed to be thin like the Stampin Up sparkle paper.   I decided to give it a try.  Not bad at all!!!! It's my new love when it comes to making Christmas Cards.  I was able to cut it with my die cuts as you can see on my card.  The snowflake was a die from Stampin Up.  

Here is the link in case you are looking for some glitter cardstock that you can actually work with.

DCWV Glitzy Glitter Cardstock Stack

Do you agree blue and silver go so well together?

"hugs"

Netta

Candy Stripe Christmas Card

I bought a new Spellbinders Nestabilities Die Set from Jo'Anne's called Radiant Rectangles.

This set was so much fun to play with.  I used some old Stampin Up striped red and cream paper to create this card with.  Some layers were raised and others were flat against the card.  

A little bling and a bow topped it off!  

Very cute..

thanks for stopping!

Netta

Simple Birthday Card

Easy, simple and quick!  Enough said...

*S*

Netta

PCC Inspiration-Mothers Day Card

Happy National Scrapbooking Day!

In my absence, I have been making many cards.  I wasn't able to share as I was not online much.  I had family visiting for almost 2 months so now it is catch up time.  I will share them soon.

Today I worked on cards....again.  Some day I will get back to scrapbooking but for now...

I did a card for my Mother-In-Law today.  Paper Crafters Cafe used Urchin Colors as inspiration. 

 The only thing left to do is to find a pretty poem or quote online for the inside.

I hope you were able to get some crafting done!

Netta

  

Relay For Life

I have some Relay For Life cards that I made left over from a prior Relay For Life.  I would love to sell them as I will donate 100% of the money to Relay For Life this year.  I will be part of the walk happening here in my town on April 12th.

Relay for Life is dear to my heart. I have lost many to the fight of cancer...including my mom. 

These cards are all A2 size and comes with an envelope to mail.  I will accept any donation for $5.00 and more!!  Please go here and leave a donation. 

Manetta's Relay For Life

Email me the donation amount you submitted, the card you would like and I will send it right off to you!!
Most are blank so someone can handwrite something special inside but if there is something special you want inside I can add that for you.

Thank you in advance!

1. Blank inside 
(Breast Cancer)

2. Blank inside 
(Leukemia and Kidney Cancer)

 3. Inside: It's the best medicine of all.
(Leukemia and Kidney Cancer)

4. It's the best medicine at all.
(Breast Cancer)

5.  Never Never Never give up 
(Liver Cancer)

6. Blank inside
(Breast Cancer)

7. Blank inside
(Breast Cancer)

8. Blank Inside
(Child w/Cancer)

9. Blank Inside

9.Blank Inside

10.  Inside:  You are still the most beautiful, thoughtful and courageous person I know.  That will never change.
(Breast Cancer)

11.  Blank Inside
(Liver Cancer)

12.  Blank Inside
(All Cancers)

13....until we met you

14.  ...until we met you
(All Cancers)

Sketch Challenge #5-Christmas Snowman

It was time for Christmas card and another sketch.  Wow, all these challenges are keeping me going...getting a lot done!

Here is the sketch I used.

The paper I used came from Stampin Up paper pak called Winter Frost.  The snowman is an old Stampin Up stamp.  Christmas tree is s sizzix die.  For the snow sparkle I used stickles!  Very easy to do

One challenge I have is cutting the strips and then taping them down so they are even width. I did mine a different way.

I cut my pieces the length I wanted but the width I was not too particular.  The piece I wanted in the middle was actually matted.  I then glued down the right and left strips with the edge about the same as the mat on the middle strip.  I then placed the middle strip down.  Now they are look like they are all centered correctly!

For the snow along the bottom I ripped white paper.  

I don't recall ever paper piecing before but it fit well for this one.  I stamped the snowman on white cardstock.  The hat and scarf was stamped on a small piece of scrap paper.  I did not stamp the whole snowman. I just wanted those pieces.  I cut them out as well as the buttons.  Glued them on the snowman.  Cut the whole image out to glue down on the card.  With the hat, scarf and buttons matching the background just made the whole card flow and come together real well!

thanks for stopping!

Netta

Sketch Challenge #4-Butterfly Sympathy

Butterflies galore!

Well...3 anyway lol.  

My first attemp was a flop.  I did not get them even at all.  For the second attempt, I drew a light pencil mark across the card and it helped...still a little off but that is ok!  I stamped the first butterfly from a Martha Stewarts clear rubber stamp set and stamped that in the middle of the card with versamark.  The left and right butterflies were matched up wing tip to wing tip and the bottom of the wings were set along the pencil line.  I used heat embossed the images and sponged Versafine Majestic Blue all over it.  

This is the sketch from Challenge #4 that is used.

I used a ruler to draw another light pencil light where I wanted the blue to end and I cut along that line but going around the butterflies.  

I had a scrap piece of paper that had like a blue crackle paint on it.  It looked perfect for the bottom half.  

Thanking of you sentiment is one of the stamps in the Stampin Up Wet Lands set.

I am going sympathy, Christmas and birthday so I don't get dragged down by too many birthday or too many sympathy.  This way it also gets my Christmas cards started.  So far it is working!

Have a crafty day tomorrow!

Netta

Sketch Challenge #2 & #3-Birthdays

Yesterday I worked hard to get caught up on some challenges and it was not a good day at all for me!  Everything I made was not my best.  My sister and I like to Skype as we craft the day away.  I love it.  It is like the old days when we lived in the same town and got together once a month and crafted.  Yesterday was one of those days.  We like to have show-n-tell on the cards we made.  I showed her one card I made and the expression on her face was priceless!  Without a word I knew she was thinking exactly what I was thinking....the card stunk!  LOL  

Needless to say...that card is in the junk pile.  Maybe someday I might find something on it salvageable!  

Here are a couple of cards I made and the sketches.

Challenge #2 Card

Challenge #2 Sketch

Challenge #3 Card

Challenge #3 Sketch

 On to more challenges!

See you Soon!

Manetta

Sketch Challenge 1

I belong to a small craft group and we started a new Sketch Challenge once a week.

We are on Sketch 3 so I am playing catch up!

Here is my take on the first Sketch

Here is the sketch from the challenge

Now off to go continue creating and getting the other two challenges done!

Back later!!

Manetta

Heartache and Memory

Quick post today to show you a card that was all done in gray and black.  Very simple and quick card. It is not often I make a card that has a verse on the front.  This time it just fit well.  

This Impression Obsession poem is my favorite and I use it a lot on my sympathy cards.  

If you click on the photo you will be able to see just a hint of sparkle.

Thank you for stopping by!

Manetta

Happy Valentines Day!

This is a free Digital image from http://www.meljensdesigns.com/ that was printed on white cardstock, cut down to size and colored with Touch markers.  I printed another on printer paper and cut it out to mask the image.  With sponge, ink and a ripped piece of paper towel...I went to town making clouds and grass!  The edge was distressed.  The heart with red glitter frosting on the cookie topped off the card!

Happy Valentines Everyone!

Netta

Birthday Book

I have a difficult time making a stash of birthday cards and picking one out  for my own family and friends birthdays.  Each card is made with that person in mind.

There is a woman who helps out in our office a couple of days a week and her birthday is Friday which is Valentines Day.  I thought about her and two ideas came to mind.  One fact was the obvious...Hearts and red.  The second idea was the fact that she loves loves loves to read.  I went with my second idea.  I was so happy I had the Book Label 7 Nestabilty.

I had no idea how I was going to make the card so I turned to Pinterest.  I found some beautiful cards using the Label 7 and making them into an Easel Card.  That helped me to get going however I wanted to go one step better.  I made the bottom look like a leather bound book.  I have made faux leather before but I came across a video where they used a mix of glycerin and water in a spray bottle.  Glycerin was suppose to help the cardstock soak up the water better and get into the fibers...making it much softer and pliable. I gave it a try.  Works great! 

Here is the bottom of the card.

 I should have taking pictures of the process but didn't.  I will make another faux leather and create a tutorial next week. 

Her birthday is tomorrow but I won't see her so I am giving her the card today.  I know she will love it!

Enjoy & thank you for stopping by!

Netta